NEW Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Compact SPF50

09 Aug NEW Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Compact SPF50

Most sunscreens contain chemical filters which can make skin break out – if this sounds familiar, you’ll be interested in Avene’s new product, a compact featuring a 100% mineral screen that will protect the most sensitive of skins, without causing irritation.

Not only does it do an excellent job of protecting with its SPF50, but the tinted formula contains a powerful antioxidant and evens out your skin tone so you don’t feel naked when on the beach.

I’ve yet to try it abroad but it’s definitely working for me here in north London! I really like the coverage and the way it seems to melt into the skin.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or acne, this product is made for you. Just make sure you apply it generously before sun exposure.

Eau Themale Avene Tinted Compact SPF50 is priced at £24. It’s available in two shades – Beige which I’m using and recommend for fairer skins – and Honey. Find it at selected Boots, Garden Pharmacy, John Bell and Croyden, Central Pharmacy Cardiff and independent pharmacies. For stockists call 01582 820165 or visit www.avene.co.uk.

I was directed to this information (linked below) the other day by a colleague which points out the inferiority of physical sunscreens for rosacea and moreover the paucity of protection offered by makeup products on the basis that patients apply about 10x less than what would be required to reach the stated SPF (the SPF of makeup products is calculated in the same was as sunscreens). Certainly no one is applying 3-5 ml/3-5 grams of powder as they would sunscreen:

I found the comment “Newer formulas made of extremely fine (in some cases nano) particles, while cosmetically acceptable, do not block UV nearly as well as original opaque zinc and titanium, particularly in the UVA solar wavelength” and the chart of sunscreen chemicals/physical blocks compared (http://www.rosacea-sunscreens.net/Solar-Wavelengths.html) enlightening.

I will be integrating this knowledge into my own practice.

The case for physical sunscreens for rosacea appears to be partly one of wishful thinking.

In retrospect, it seems obvious that microfine particles would not be as protective as the traditional zinc and titanium products, which were pastes!